Keeping the streets clean Public Comment from Cole OsbrinkMr. Graham,
My wife and I live at 576 6th ave. West N., behind the fairgrounds. We rented in Kalispell since 2019 after graduating from UM in 2014. We both work our butts off to make it in this
city because we love it, even though we had to pay way more for this way of life than other places around. But being behind the fairgrounds makes my neighborhood(specifically 7th ave.
WN) a thoughfare for the homeless on their way to the warming shelter. My issue isn't nesissarily the homeless, but the trash they leave behind. The city blocked off access to the fairgrounds
from the local community for this issue, and we lost a place to go for a quiet walk in the evening or throw the ball for the dog. We reluctently accepted this a sad but nesissary step
to keep this place nice. But they still come through and leave trash everywhere they can hide for a drink or a needle. I know this because I have been picking up trash after work to
keep my neighborhood nice, and about half of it is alcohol containers and yesterday I picked up 5 needles on W Wyoming st. I don't want to lose any more cool, quiet places to take the
dog or go on a walk, which is why I am cleaning up after these people. But the city should step up and fix this. Put trash cans along the street? Police this as a known traffic route
for homeless inbound to the shelter? Make the homeless clean up after themselves? I'm not sure what the answer is, but this is a city problem. Its all over the highways, our walking
trails, sidewalks, litter is a growing problem and I would like the city to address it.
If you would like to speak about this, give me a call,
Cole Osbrink
(714)269-2151